30th July 2018 – New Lodge registered as Asset of Community Value

Billericay Town Supporters Trust are delighted to confirm that, New Lodge, home to Billericay Town FC has been registered as an Asset of Community Value. Confirmation of the registration was received to the Billericay Town Supporters Trust from Basildon Council this week.

An Asset of Community Value is a “Community Right to Bid” and is part of a set of powers giving communities more control over what happens in their area and the important local amenities of value to them. Rights are contained within the Localism Act 2011 which devolves power from government to communities, local authorities and individuals.

The restrictions stop the owner of the ground (Basildon Council) from selling it for a period of six weeks to allow for a community group to say whether they wish to buy it. If they do, that group then has six months to organise their finances – during that time the owner cannot sell to anyone other than a community group. After the six month period, the owner can sell to whomever s/he chooses.

Rob Street, Secretary of BTSS said of the registration; “The board of the Billericay Town Supporters Society are delighted to have registered New Lodge as an Asset of Community Value. We believe this gives our supporters an important safeguard and a real say if any change in ownership to the ground were ever proposed.”

James Blower, Chair of BTSS said; “This is an important milestone for BTSS and, on behalf of BTFC supporters and the BTSS board, I want to personally thank and recognise the hard work of Rob Street in achieving this.”